JULY 27, 2006

Toyota on the prowl?

While Ralf Schumacher smiled cheerfully through gritted teeth at today's FIA press conference, and agreed that Toyota supplying Williams with engines for the next three years could only be a good thing for the Cologne-based manufacturer, there are signs behind the scenes that Toyota has already started to ramp up its technical effort.

The man on the shopping list is Mark Smith, the former Renault designer who is now chief designer at Red Bull Racing, reporting directly to Adrian Newey. Toyota is said to be pursuing him with some vigour.

It is also seeking a number of other staff, among them former Ferrari employee Anton Stipinovich who is head of control systems at RBR.